New Modems: New 3Com Megahertz 10/100 LAN+56K Modem CardBus PC Card Delivers Reliable Global Modem Performance With True 100Mbps Ethernet Connectivity - Product Announcement

EDGE, On & About AT&T, April 12, 1999

To meet the dynamic needs of mobile professionals who require reliable, high performance connectivity, 3Com Corporation Monday announced the availability of the 3Com Megahertz 10/100 LAN 56K(1) Modem CardBus PC Card. The new product (model number 3CCFEM656B) is a global communications solution that unites 3Com's reliable modem performance with true Fast Ethernet connections for CardBus-enabled notebooks.

With market share more than twice its nearest competitor, 3Com is the world's leading vendor of LAN, modem and combo PC Cards (Cahners In-Stat, Q4 1998). "As the mobile workforce continues to grow at breakneck speed, so does the demand for Fast Ethernet networks and high-bandwidth applications -- including sophisticated multimedia programs and Web-based tools," said Rick Bilodeau, product line manager for 3Com's Mobile Communications Division. "Due to these emerging trends, 3Com is now pleased to offer a powerful CardBus solution that delivers high-bandwidth LAN and modem functionality to today's 32-bit notebook PCs." Based upon industry CardBus standards, the 3Com Megahertz 10/100 LAN 56K Modem CardBus PC Card provides a solution that not only protects the investment of customers as they migrate to 100Mbps networks, but offers the following performance, power consumption and usability advantages: * Low 3-volt power consumption (versus 5 volts in traditional PCMCIA devices) extends the battery life and reduces heat generation in notebook PCs * 3Com's exclusive WorldPort(TM) country configuration software allows for easy connections to phone systems in most countries around the world * DynamicAccess (R) Mobile software delivers one-step mobile configuration and connectivity, saving time for both IS managers and mobile users * Cellular capability allows mobile users to easily connect to an analog cellular phone * Parallel Tasking(R) II technology delivers faster application performance and lower CPU utilization by taking advantage of the latest PCI bus design * Easy installation and guaranteed compatibility help reduce support calls to IS managers from workers on the road and thereby decreases total cost of ownership In addition, the 3CCFEM656B is the first multifunction PC Card optimized for notebook PCs running Windows 95/98 or NT 4.0, which maximizes performance by harnessing the power of Pentium-class processors for data compression. The 3Com Megahertz 10/100 LAN 56K Modem CardBus PC Card is now available through major retailers, OEM partners and resellers worldwide for a suggested list price of US$329. Additional information about this product and other 3Com Megahertz mobile connectivity solutions can be found at www.3com.com/mobile. With more than 200 million customers worldwide, 3Com Corporation connects more people in more ways to information than any other networking company. 3Com delivers innovative information access products and network system solutions to large, medium and small enterprises; carriers and network service providers; PC OEMs; and consumers. www.3com.com. (1) Capable of receiving downloads at up to 56 Kbps and sending at up to 31.2 Kbps. Due to FCC regulations on power output, receiving speeds are limited to 53 Kbps. Actual speeds may vary. Requires compatible analog phone line and server equipment. See www.3com.com/56k for details.